Egyptian security officials say a suicide car bomber has targeted a military compound in the country’s restive Sinai Peninsula.

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The officials say the bomber targeted the gates of the compound in the city of el-Arish early on Tuesday morning. They say the explosion did not kill anyone. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Egypt has for years been battling a burgeoning insurgency in northern Sinai but the frequency of attacks against army and police there has dramatically increased since the 2013 ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Small bombings have also been carried out in Cairo and other cities.

The attacks have raised fears ahead of an economic conference this week aimed at attracting foreign investment.